Phoenix Rising

The Child Knows

2011-12-11T18:57:00.000-08:00

The child knows
Much more than the serious adult
The serious adult
Is just a lost child
Who has forgotten
That "being an adult" is only a concept
And has covered the heart up
With layer upon layer of fear

We are all in this predicament, until we choose to return home
To our own hearts

It is the child in the human being, that is the custodian of life and vibrancy

Laughter is the song of the child

The self-realized human being, is the conscious child, the self-awakened soul
Compassionate toward all life, starting with the self

Playful

Bubbling with joy

CHARTS: Here's What The Wall Street Protesters Are So Angry About...

2011-10-12T17:14:00.000-07:00

http://www.businessinsider.com/what-wall-street-protesters-are-so-angry-about-2011-10?op=1

America has been sold out to the highest bidder(s).

These astonishing charts, show it.

Sold out, both by a people who have lost touch with themselves, their inner power, their authentic strength; and an elite class who look to have become servants of materialism and power-lust.

The debt-based monetary system headed for reset

2011-10-04T00:47:00.001-07:00

Out of debt, up to the surface!

There is no saving the debt-based fiat currency systems.

The US dollar and Euro are on their way out.

Because they are created out of debt.

The evidence is so plenty for those who have the courage to look and the eyes to see, that I will leave it to you to discover it using your favourite search engine.

The collapse of this debt-based fraudulent fractional reserve banking system could allow humanity to move forward toward a genuine economy, NOT rooted in debt but human ingenuity.

I highly recommended transferring your paper wealth to precious metals (if you haven't already done so), especially silver coins. A window of opportunity (temporarily lowered prices, in dollar terms) has opened up for purchasing. Visit Goldmoney if you are a beginner.

(for more information on the fundamentals, see Chris Martenson's Crash Course)

Mayan Calendar: 2012 Shift with Ian X. Lungold

2011-09-26T11:37:00.000-07:00

I highly recommend watching the full length presentation. This is a scientifically grounded and hype-free interpretation of the Mayan Calendar and related prophesies. It is free of the fear-mongering and fear-peddling that is so common in the 2012 sphere.

Here is Ian's web site with free study material on the crucial subject of inner freedom and evolution of consciousness.

"Light, Light, Light"

2011-09-10T18:47:00.000-07:00

"When you raise your state of consciousness you become a pure clear channel with nothing in the way so the ways of the Spirit can pour through. A new world is being opened up to you. You have burst through the darkness into My glorious Light and all is Light, Light, Light. Your heart is filled with Love, you can feel yourself growing and expanding like a beautiful plant which has burst through the dark earth into the sunshine and grows and grows and flowers and flourishes, leaving all the old behind never to return to it again. Grow in grace and love; never look back. There is the most glorious future."

- Eileen Caddy, Findhorn Foundation, 9 September 2011

2011-08-27T07:18:00.000-07:00

The below is excerpted from The Presence Portal, companion web site to the book (The Presence Process), by Michael Brown:

No one is coming to save us from ourselves.

We are each endowed with the capacity to be responsible for the quality of our experience. However, until consciously impacted with our compassionate awareness, our unintegrated fear, anger, and grief continues to function as the unconscious causal point of our outer disharmony, discomfort, disease, and delusion. By continuing to suppress and sedate our unintegrated emotional condition - and instead allowing ourselves to be emotionally carried and provoked by anyone or anything - we remain a species that is inauthentic, out of integrity, and lacking in the emotional capacity to intimately contain an awareness of what we are or what God is for us. Only by consciously developing our capacity to feel are we delivered beyond this predicament.

Blaming others for the quality of our life experience is futile.

Victim and victor mentality is denial and delusion. Mounting earthly chaos and increasing outer human drama is a deliberately initiated and unfolding planetary cleanse intended to address our inauthentic, unconscious, and programmed approach to living. All outer conflict triggering us emotionally in an uncomfortable way reflects our states of unintegrated inner turmoil. Our only choice now is between engaging reactively in outer drama, or allowing the play of outer drama to facilitate us into a responsive and compassionate awakening to, and integration of, our inner turmoil.

The present moment is valid - entering it consciously is a portal into authenticity, integrity, and intimacy.

Present moment awareness is "being fully present within each unfolding moment just as it is - without interference - without binding it with the resonance of fear, anger, and grief arising from our unintegrated past". Only when we are present are we vulnerable to receiving, and therefore able to contain, each unfolding encounter as a divinely ordained opportunity to intimately explore the profound possibilities of our humanity. Entering the moment fully requires a behavioral transformation - a shift from unconscious reactivity into deliberate responsibility. This transformation is only authentically accomplished through integrating the underlying imprinted emotional signatures that consistently distract us from being present. No one can accomplish this on our behalf.

This unfolding moment in our human evolution is not "The End Times" - it is the invitation to "end living in a time-based paradigm" so we may real eyes peace.

Our task is not to "make peace on earth". Such an intent is born of perceptual delusion. Our evolutionary task is to accomplish the capacity "to real eyes peace that is already given" while we are here. When we develop the capacity to authentically real eyes peace - we radiate this resonance throughout our experience. Authentic peace is felt. We are only at peace when we truly feel at peace. Peace is only realized through responsively awakening to, and hence fully entering, the felt-resonance of this unfolding moment. If we cannot feel the peace that is already given, it is because our unintegrated fear, anger, and grief is distorting our felt-perception. Only by consciously integrating our imprinted fear, anger, and grief do we reawaken our felt-perception and open ourselves to the naturally peaceful resonance of the heart.

Learn more about The Presence Process.

The revolutionary Trauma Release Exercises (TRE)

2010-07-04T17:33:00.000-07:00

We are each other's mirrors

2010-04-27T06:12:00.000-07:00

We are each other's mirrors.

Look at the reflection instead of breaking the mirror.

Arrogance

2010-03-10T07:26:00.000-08:00

Often, probably more than two options open up for us...

I have pondered about the content I've published in this blog, and in my reflections, I have observed a period during which the content was starting to become polarized, due to a polarization that began happening in my own mind. I guess sometimes we need to go to extremes, in order to learn a valuable life lesson.

The potential blessing of such a painful period of going to an extreme (for surely it impacts our inner peace) is that when we do return to centre, we stand the chance of being more firmly rooted there and with greater maturity, and wisdom.

The things I publish are from now on (more than before) intended to be reflections and not conclusions (unless based on poetic speculation or scientific evidence). Thought experiments, and not mandates or doctrines. I personally get turned off when people proclaim their ideas and speculations as certain, and boldly make claims against this or against that, especially when these claims are outrageous and they are seeking "converts" to their viewpoint. I am learning to discover ways to challenge my own viewpoints without feeling like I would be somehow worse off if I adjust my beliefs. For example, I now question a lot of the criticism directed toward Obama as being blind and at the same time, I think there is always legitimate concern about any political leader that should be expressed, in order to hold them accountable. But honestly, is it a valuable use of our time and energy to focus on others (especially through speculation), when all we can really change is ourselves (our own thoughts, words, and deeds), and when even that needs to progress at a patient and accepting pace? Can we really prove anything about Obama's intentions to ourselves, even with all the material that is out on the Internet? Can we verify this material in and of itself?

In other words, can I bring the weight of verification of truth to what I myself am claiming?

This does not mean that we should avoid political participation or inquiry into uncomfortable realities. But humanity's experience shows that individuals who have integrity (self-honesty and inner harmony) can influence others, and those who push too far into uncomfortable realities can get sucked into them, lose their sense of humour and patience, and become antagonistic (thus self-perpetuating a sense of paranoia about "others" and lamenting of not being understood or others "getting it").

Each human being is struggling to understand historical and contemporary contexts and threads of meaning (or loss of meaning), both within the realm of their individual existence and their social, economic, and spiritual membership in the many layers of the community of humanity. And it seems that in our noble drive for understanding and clarity, we come face to face with the arrogance (blindness and false self-assuredness) of some of our thoughts from time to time.

It seems that nothing that we human beings can adequately grasp is set in stone. Our understanding of ourselves and the universe keeps fluctuating. This is not because the principles of creation change, but because our perception keeps (painstakingly) expanding.

Not being attached to our beliefs or the doctrines of anyone else is a freeing thing, but is not an easy thing. So let's have compassion for each other's arrogance, because it is a reflection of our own.

It's so easy to think that one knows, when one does not really know at all.

Doctors Speak Out About Swine Flu Vaccine

2009-11-01T22:06:00.000-08:00

Book Recommendation: The Four Agreements

2009-09-26T11:02:00.001-07:00

This is a very powerful book for those interested in the journey of personal healing and inner freedom:

The Four Agreements, by Don Miguel Ruiz

The Noblest Purpose for Creating a Just Human Society

2009-09-21T10:54:00.001-07:00

Why all this talk about society, state, and social order?

A state for its own sake?

A state as object of worship (idol)?

A state as master over individuals?

A state as means of attainment of material wealth and vainglory for an elite?

Or, a state that seeks to be shaped around the following question:

What is the noblest purpose for forming a just human society?

Is it not to facilitate the full development of the individual according to the individual's unique divine purpose, so that human creative and spiritual potential can flourish?

The Return to Yourself

2009-09-06T19:45:00.000-07:00

"Don't be afraid to be weak... don't be too proud to be strong."
- Enigma, The Return to Innocence

A Humorous Look on Silver as Investment

2009-07-19T08:01:00.001-07:00

A 1 oz silver Maple Leaf coin - one of the finest bullion coins in the world

The Mogambo Guru shares his bullish (i.e. positive) outlook on silver as an investment.

Read it here.

There are times... when...

2009-07-06T18:37:00.000-07:00

There are times when it's hard to speak.

When one's voice feels weak.

There are times when the past seems bleak.

When one's thoughts make it seem as if darkness rules.

There are times when the present feels like a burden.

When meaning does not seem to shine through one's day.

There are times when the future seems hopeless.

When the adversities and frustrated longings of this human experience seem endless.

But...

... such times are like storm clouds...

... that will pass.

Allow suffering to move through you.

Do not resist emotional pain.

Let it flow.

The new dawn is bright!

Be patient.

I say this to myself, as much as I say it to you.

What's going on in Iran?

2009-06-18T13:17:00.000-07:00

Love to my brothers and sisters in Iran. We stand united with you, millions in the diaspora and people from all nations across the globe.

EU parliament urged not to endorse Ahmedinejad by two famous Iranian film makers

2009-06-17T12:01:00.000-07:00

Iran's power struggle behind the scenes

2009-06-17T11:54:00.000-07:00

Photos from the Uprising in Tehran (June 15)

2009-06-15T22:01:00.000-07:00

"All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent."

- Thomas Jefferson

Please share these fantastic photos far and wide. The Iranian people are in need of your support, for the sake of a brighter dawn for all humanity.

Link: http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2009/06/irans_disputed_election.html

Open Letter from Iranians to the World - Please Distribute

2009-06-15T12:29:00.001-07:00

Iran Election Fraud: 5 Reasons to Doubt the Results

2009-06-14T21:59:00.000-07:00

What does freedom depend on?

2009-06-09T15:08:00.000-07:00

"Your task is not to seek for love, but merely to seek and find all the barriers within yourself that you have built against it."
- Rumi, Iranian poet

Does freedom depend on wealth, position, status, possessions...?

Does it depend on what one has?

Or is freedom a state of liberation from within?

Or perhaps it is not an issue of "either or" (i.e. the external versus the internal), but could it be that with attainment of an inner state of freedom, the outer conditions that we associate with "wealth" will gather around an individual like a magnet attracts filing (if the individual so desires)?

I believe that freedom is first and foremost an inner process... attainable by the individual. Not by adding anything "new"... but by shedding the false from the mind, and opening the eyes to the perception of truth...

... the truth, love, and peace that is already here, now.

We don't have to seek in the future for freedom... we don't have to seek in the political life for freedom (it is so often rife with conflict and frustration)... we don't have to seek in wealth for freedom, because it does not exist there (money is simply a tool for material lives, and fulfilling our projects)... what we long for is here, now. Of course, it may take some time to clear away the dross and bring out the gold... but that's alright. There is no rush when it comes to what truly matters.

Gold and Silver in the Mainstream Media

2009-06-06T08:06:00.001-07:00

The U.K.'s Daily Telegraph says "The ingredients are in place for a bull run in gold and gold stocks". Also, a U.S. insurance company acquires gold for the first time in 152 years.

This is important, because as the mainstream starts publishing about the weakness of the U.S. dollar (and other fiat currencies) and the strength of the gold and silver markets, more and more people will abandon paper money and flock to precious metals.

If you want to position yourself for the bull run in gold and silver, make sure to read these two books to understand precious metals (available from any good public library system):

For a good way to buy gold and silver bullion, go to GoldMoney.com and open an account.

For physical bullion possession, and if you live in Canada, I suggest this dealer:
http://www.bullioncoinsandbars.com/

Of course, this is not investment advice, and you assume all risk for your own actions.

Shield Your Mind... By Questioning Your Own Assumptions and Beliefs

2009-06-03T08:23:00.000-07:00

"The most powerful tool in the hand of the oppressor is the mind of the oppressed."
- Stephen Biko

Universities Considering 3-Year Degrees to Save Students Time and Money

2009-05-23T17:19:00.000-07:00

This is an interesting story about how the economy is transforming from a mentality of excess, to an attitude of frugality. Reducing the length of university education at the bachelor level may or may not be the "right" thing from an academic perspective. But that's besides the point I'm making here, which is that the basic principle of "do not easily spend what you do not have" is catching up with a society gone amok into a "debt as wealth" fantasy, where people thought they could spend recklessly without a reckoning day.

Well, the reckoning day is here.

Could it be that the wave of future prosperity is in frugality and respect for what one already has? Instead of mindless hunger for more and for what one does not have?

We are moving into interesting times... where timeless principles of success will re-emerge in many.

A different way to think about creative geniues

2009-05-02T08:28:00.000-07:00

This blog is going to yet again shift into new territory. Lately, it's been intensively about economic insight and wealth protection. I will still share my research and thoughts with you on that important topic, because those who are financially self-sufficient and independent are freer than those who are experiencing economic lack.

Your prosperity matters. And it's not necessarily about how much you have, but about how self-sufficient and secure your wealth is relative to your needs and life purpose.

However, I will also delve more and more into what I believe is one of the primary sources of fulfillment for a mature and happy human being: understanding of and intimacy with the non-material creative process and causes of creative manifestation.

All material production and wealth that humanity enjoys derives from two fundamental sources, and usually a combination of the two: the abundance of the Earth and sentient creative intelligence. Everything brought to manifestation by humans was at first and a time an idea in someone's mind, but where did that idea originate? This is a tremendously important question for those who wish to understand creativity.

Gaining glimpses of the answer will equip you with more courage in your creative ventures.

On that note, below is a lovely speech about the creative process. It resonates with my belief that our job is to simply show up, listen, and do. Getting in touch with the creative process is each human being's birthright. Enjoy this gem!

Silver - Strong Investment Opportunity

2009-04-25T07:42:00.000-07:00

[this post contains a video - if you can't see it, click here]

A good way to buy silver is GoldMoney.com

And here are some reputable bullion dealers in Canada:

http://albern.com/

http://www.bullioncoinsandbars.com/

And if you would like to learn more about silver as an investment opportunity, I recommend that you check out David Morgan's www.silver-investor.com.

Peter Schiff: "Obama has misdiagnosed the ailment"

2009-04-08T15:43:00.000-07:00

Peter Schiff, well-known investor, in an article titled "Credit Card Cancer", makes the following observations:

"This week, with his pronouncement that "credit is the lifeblood of a healthy economy," President Obama reiterated what has been one of his most common themes in diagnosing our economic problem. The president has relied on this bedrock belief to propose policies that place the restoration of credit as the highest priority. However, despite his seemingly earnest intentions, the president and his economic advisors have misdiagnosed the ailment. Savings, not credit, is the lifeblood of a healthy economy. When not used properly credit can be like a cancer that sickens an otherwise healthy economy."

Schiff goes on to state:

"The primary mechanism that has injected credit where it does not belong is the massive credit card industry that has developed in the United States over the last generation. The ease with which these cards may be obtained and the degree to which Americans now rely on them for routine purchases has created a culture of credit that simply has no precedent in a healthy economy. Until this culture has been reformed, America's fight to restore economic vitality will be a lost cause."

A culture of credit cards (and other easy loans without backing) are the consumer-side part of the problem...

... derivatives and exotic financial instruments created without any tangible asset correlation are the industry part of the problem (paper wealth!)...

... complicity and even collusion, is the government part of the problem.

It all results in a fundamentally sick economy fueled by debt... until it collapses under its own weight.

"Fraud" Cause of Financial Collapse!

2009-04-08T09:35:00.000-07:00

This is a must see interview that pierces deep into the real reasons behind the collapse of the financial markets, and why the so-called "bail outs" are corrupt.

Bill Moyers (respected American journalist) sits down with William K. Black, the former senior regulator who cracked down on banks during the savings and loan crisis of the 1980s. Black offers his analysis of what went wrong and his critique of the bailout.

"Fraud is deceit. And the essence of fraud is, 'I create trust in you, and then I betray that trust, and get you to give me something of value.' And as a result, there's no more effective acid against trust than fraud, especially fraud by top elites, and that's what we have."

- William K. Black

Introduction to GoldMoney

2009-04-06T07:19:00.000-07:00

The Crisis of Credit Visualized (movie)

2009-04-03T10:11:00.000-07:00

(if you can't see video, click here)

The Crisis of Credit Visualized from Jonathan Jarvis on Vimeo.

"Prepare For The Worst - Pray For The Best"

2009-03-27T10:28:00.000-07:00

An astute American writes:

"Our generation stands at a horrendous turning point in American history. Everything we take for granted, our freedoms, our money, our security, our democratic way of life…everything... is on the brink of destruction."

What's important to remember is that the massive corporate and currency collapses and ensuing economic transformation will herald an age of sweeping change, painful for many, yet also opportunity for stronger community, and even wealth increase for the astute and courageous. The less attachment to "things" you have, the more ready for learning and adventure you are (i.e. learning to grow your own food, or investing in silver and gold), the better off you shall be...

The Gem of Independent Thinkers

2009-03-27T06:21:00.000-07:00

Note (July 11, 2010): since I published this piece, I have changed my opinion about the person mentioned in this article. I have observed him being angrily blameful of others, and this has turned me off from his way of thinking. I no longer recommend this person, after spending time studying his writing and realizing that he seems trapped in anger and blame of external forces (which is just another dogmatic box).

The true kings of this world are those who cast off the limitations of their own belief systems, and courageously open their minds to new possibilities and realms of knowledge. Then, they take action on their knowledge.

They ask questions in order to arrive at answers, and do not stop when the terrain of inquiry becomes uncomfortable. They keep pressing on, in the name of that highest of pursuits: the truth.

They push the boundaries, they sojourn into new lands of perception and experience, and expand the frontiers of their own vision. They decimate enemies of truth along the way, and stop for nothing.

They ask, they look, they seek, they find (hallelujah!), and some of them then come back to the masses still lingering in the cave, and communicate about their journeys and fantastic discoveries.

I will dedicate a section of this blog to such individuals, so that you and your family may benefit from their insights. One such individual is Jon Rappoport.

The Wonderful Cuban Organic Agriculture System

2009-03-25T11:42:00.000-07:00

When the flow of oil ran dry in Cuba due to withdrawal of Soviet economic support and the continuation of American sanctions, this is what happened to Cuba's agricultural system... very inspirational.

It's funny how innovative the Cubans are when they have fewer resources than Westerners... innovative and self-sufficient, while most of us in the West know nothing about how food is grown and are completely dependent on a patently unsustainable and disease-inducing food production system.

Obama's "Rapproachment" Speech to Iran is a Cleverly Veiled Threat

2009-03-24T16:37:00.000-07:00

It's amazing how my fellow Iranians have been swept away by fluttery emotion after listening to Obama's New Year "greeting" to the Iranian people and government. To me, this speech was a very clever threat, disguised in a "holier than thou" package.

Basically, the speech is a sticks and carrots strategy - "if you do what we say, we will work with you" - "if you do not bend to our will, we will label you and outcast you... so you better do what we say!" It was designed to give the American administration an upper hand in the future, a pretext for casting the Iranian government as "non-cooperative" and "unworthy of membership" in the so-called "world community" should the Iranian government not step "in line".

Deception and manipulation, veiled with beautiful sounding words. How seemingly kind and "different" the tone from the previous administration. No doubt, Obama is much more eloquent, much more charismatic, much more intelligent, than Bush (not that either of them necessarily have the final say on their speeches).

But how can Obama call for peaceful commerce, when he has renewed the economic warfare (sanctions) on the Iranian people for another full year?

Also, what is this hypocrisy about "supporting terrorism", when it is his American predecessor who has attacked two sovereign nations in the past decade, completely unprovoked, using lies to sway public opinion, and caused the death of hundreds of thousands of people (including Americans), and the demolition of two countries?

Talk is cheap. And in this case, Obama is mortgaging his own talk, by FIRST renewing the sanctions, and then asking for trade ("if you do what we say").

I am sure that the Iranian people will not linger too long in the mass hypnosis that has befallen them. Soon, they will be looking for real action to back up the words. One positive trait about the Iranian people is that history has taught them not to trust authority. This mistrust in authority has taken the Iranians to the verge of cynicism, but that's a welcome trait of a people in a world where conmen and crooks take to office through the bait of sweet sounding words and the appearance of beneficence.

"The US is Already Bankrupt"

2009-03-24T07:35:00.000-07:00

[note: this is a video clip - if you can't see it, click here]

"Technically, the U.S. is already bankrupt because it has a debt that is almost four times the size of its economy, says Puru Saxena, CEO of Puru Saxena Wealth Management. He tells CNBC's Amanda Drury & Sri Jegarajah that the U.S. is at risk of hyperinflation."

Note the recommendation for silver and gold investing at the end of the clip (the link takes you to the one book I recommend you get, in order to understand the US dollar collapse and gain a solid ground on gold/precious metals investing).

"Only Gold Can Protect You"

2009-03-21T10:37:00.000-07:00

An article by Krassimir Petrov, PhD, called "Worse than the Great Depression", ends with the following critical advice:

"Investor beware! Only gold can protect you from the ravages of another Depression!"

Click here to learn more about why gold is so crucial for wealth protection (and growth) in the coming years.

Note: gold isn't the only wise investment as the fiat currencies start crumbling... there is silver, commodities, and mining stocks... the book linked to above will talk more about various options.

Obama is a Great Speaker

2009-03-21T08:46:00.000-07:00

But a sophist on a sinking ship is the most dangerous messenger.

What Every Investor Should Know (by Marc Faber)

2009-03-18T11:14:00.000-07:00

Marc Faber, investor and author
(his favourite book is The Alchemist, and here's why)

Marc Faber (wikipedia bio) is a successful contrarian investor who cuts out the B.S. and speaks from the gut. Watch this intelligent and funny interview he did about the prospects of the world economy: Buy a farm and shotgun...

This is a man who has made fortunes from his investments.

Here are his 10 Investment Rules.

My favourite part:

"Today's society is obsessed with money. But the best investments for you may be in your own education, in the quality of the time you spend with the ones you love, on your own job, and on books, which will open new ideas to you and let you see things from many different perspectives."

I completely agree with Mr. Farber - money can come and go, the strong investor and entrepreneur does not fear it's gain nor loss. Capital is a tool (a very powerful tool), and by itself, will not build strength of character, gratitude and happiness! The true treasures of life are knowledge, nurturing relationships, a happy home and family life, development and expression of talents, living according to our values and spiritual insights... add to this list what you wish, but bottomline is that the real treasure is a life of integrity and wisdom, which lead to happiness.

By the way, Marc Faber is a supporter of gold (to learn more about gold investments, get this book without delay).

(as you can tell, blog Phoenix Rising will be presenting to you useful and pragmatic viewpoints from insightful people, so you can work on navigating yourself and your family through the economic storm)

Listen to this man, and listen closely

2009-03-17T00:37:00.000-07:00

Gerald Celente

This is a man I would listen to, and listen to very closely. Especially in these times of drastic economic and political change.

His name is Gerald Celente, founder of The Trends Research Institute and he has accurately forecasted the following trends before they hit the mainstream:

Learn more about Gerald Celente and use his forecasts for financial benefit, as well as to gain a better understanding of the context of contemporary social movements and changes.

Thomas Jefferson on Private Banking Institutions

2009-03-17T00:10:00.000-07:00

“I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies. If the American people ever allow private banks to control the issue of their currency, first by inflation, then by deflation, the banks and corporations that will grow up around [the banks] will deprive the people of all property until their children wake-up homeless on the continent their fathers conquered.”

Jefferson wrote that in 1802... shows how old and endemic the issue is.

The Dangerous Temptation for Empire

2009-03-16T05:55:00.000-07:00

As someone who has been part of the ownership/management team of a start-up company, I have witnessed a dangerous psychological phenomenon:

The human drive for empire.

What do I mean by that?

I am talking about the desire to expand, and have more "territory".

Ever since we started our company, people have been imploring us to expand and station more branches throughout the city. In the beginning, I was opposed to this idea. I was opposed to the idea of expansion, because I felt it would create too much work and stress for our team. Why not keep it simple, beautiful, and happy?

But then... I got sucked into the temptation of empire. The temptation of having more, bigger, leaving a mark, having a "network"...

... and I will write more about this, but I can say this much: the desire for empire and the achievement of empire, does not bring happiness. It brings excess work, a sense of entrapment, and a sense of loss of control - which can result in ruined relationships.

Larger businesses, entrepreneurs with more branches, are not necessarily happier than smaller, humbler businesses. I would venture to say that they have more stress, more to manage, more to worry about, and thus... less space for happiness...

... unless they have found a way to completely detach themselves from their business. But still, something complex is always more of a burden than something simple.

Two Keys to Business and Financial Success

2009-03-08T21:09:00.000-07:00

The key to business success: integrity-driven delegation (Richard Branson?).

The key to financial success: 1a) save capital, 1b) invest it wisely to grow capital (and for 1b: repeat, repeat, repeat).

Philosophical "bottom-line" of above two keys: alone, we cannot achieve anything substantial.

"Email Bankruptcy"

2009-03-05T16:35:00.000-08:00

Email overload can be such a mental strain. Here is a story about a venture capitalist who decided he's had enough, and simply bailed out of email altogether!

I don't believe "email bankcruptcy" is the right answer (it can negatively impact your reputation), but clearly there is a serious problem with the amount of email we are getting. The more we reply and "clear" away, the more we get in return!

For me, email overload is one of the most frustrating aspects of my current workflow. Imagine receiving fifty or so letters a day! That's what email is - receiving letters, with the horrible self-induced obligation of having to respond right away!

Instead of letting the frustration continue, I'm going to do something about.

Here's one potential solution: the Getting Things Done (GTD) method of time and workflow management. This is the instruction book on GTD.

Federal Reserve Chairman Gets Grilled

2009-03-05T05:23:00.000-08:00

[this is a video posting - if you can't see the video click here]

The Federal Reserve Bank of America is a private institution. It is as "federal" as Federal Express. Learn more about the problem with the Fed.

Something Strange About Bank Buildings...

2009-03-02T07:55:00.000-08:00

Toronto skyline. See those big skyscrapers?

Have you ever paid attention to the largest buildings in city centres?

For example, downtown Toronto.

Have you ever wondered why and how the most colossal structures (thus the most expensive) are all owned by the same type of business?

Banks.

Have you asked yourself "how is it possible to fund such massive buildings?"

Where does the banker's money come from to fund the most extravagant buildings in our cities? If these are private companies, how can they raise such massive infrastructure projects, so quickly, across hundreds of cities throughout the continent (and the world!)?

As individuals, our observations carry significance. Just because others can't see what you see, or don't agree with you, does not mean anything. What registers as odd in your mind should be explored. Whenever a persistent question arises in your mind, it should be pursued. This is the path to finding answers.

Why are the largest buildings in modern cities owned by banks?

How are they able to fund such seemingly unlimited construction?

Where does their money come from?

Skyscrapers are the apex of architecture, by modern standards... almost all owned by banks. Why?

What is "money"?

2009-03-02T06:51:00.000-08:00

In order to understand how to protect your wealth, and how to generate true wealth, you first need to know the game you've been unconsciously playing along with.

If you don't know the rules of the current "money" game, you will be played like a fool (and you'll lose). Most human beings across the planet have been snookered by those who have setup the game.

Watch this video as a primer into what the dollars (or pounds... or yens... or kronas... etc.) in your pocket really are. Shocking, isn't it?

P.S. Why am I putting "money" in quotes? Money and currency are NOT the same thing. The paper in your wallet is not really money. It is currency, which is supposed to be a representation of money (i.e. gold or silver). But there is no money backing the currency of today's society (only around 1% of the US dollar is backed by gold). It is nothing but paper printed as a direct result of the indebtedness of the people and their government!

Video on the US Dollar's Collapse

2009-02-27T19:58:00.000-08:00

This excellent presentation explains why the American dollar is headed for collapse. The USD collapse will affect the Canadian economy, and possibly drag the CDN down with it (due to the U.S. being Canada's largest trading partner). To find out how to protect your money, and even prosper in the age ahead, begin with this crucial book.

Remember: those who inform themselves, prepare, and take action (by reading books like the one I've recommended) and change to frugal lifestyles, stand strong. Worry is not necessary... action is. I look at the coming age as a time for honesty and adventure. It's an inevitable phase in humanity's ongoing evolution.

Stand united with your family and friends. Share this knowledge, and work together to form community solutions to the challenges ahead. It's high time for team work and cooperation.

- S.R.

"The Collapse of the Dollar - and How to Profit From It"

2009-02-27T16:17:00.000-08:00

This book is an essential source of knowledge for anyone who wishes to understand, survive and prosper the coming era of drastic economic change. Get it at Amazon.ca today.

To your health, happiness, and prosperity.

"2009: Another Year of Shock and Awe"

2009-02-19T08:14:00.000-08:00

I am researching the issues surrounding the state of the global economy.

My current sense is that we are witnessing the verge of a collapse of the consumer culture. The collapse would come from its own excess weight. It has become too obese for its own good, like a man who cannot get up off his couch because of his own unrestrained indulgences.

Here is one of the most lucid articles I have read about the state of the economy:

http://www.dailyreckoning.com/2009-another-year-of-shock-and-awe/

Not for the faint of heart!

Some highlights:

"The country got into this mess by living beyond its means for more than a generation. That's the message from the debt that's burdening so many individuals; debt is proof that you're living above your means."

"The solution is for people to significantly reduce their standard of living for a while and start building capital. That's what saving is about, producing more than you consume."

"In fact, Americans refer to themselves as consumers. That's degrading and ridiculous. You should be first and foremost a producer, and a consumer only as a consequence."

"The way you become wealthy is by producing more than you consume, not consuming more than you produce."

To become a saver requires a new way of living, based on a new perspective. The new way of living can be summed up with one word: frugality. Of course, not everyone will choose to exit the sinking consumerist ship.

Here's a revolutionary tool for money management and becoming financially prosperous (which is relative and has nothing to do with the zero's after your bank balance).

Feel free to forward this post to your family and friends. Knowledge is to be shared.

Future blog posts: if a sink is shipping, what do you do? (answer: you get off the sinking ship, get on a lifeboat, and look for a seaworthy ship)

Have a great day.

P.S. I recommend subscribing to The Daily Reckoning. It is lucid, honest, and insightful. Accurate financial insight will be important in the year ahead.

Money in 2009, Will Not Be Like Money in 2008

2009-02-17T06:47:00.001-08:00

Money is not a trivial issue.

It should be paid attention to, because it is a representation of our energy (given to work, and given back to us). Money can help fund our aspirations and projects. Money has always been a prevalent issue in human affairs.

I believe it will become important in 2009 to learn more about it, and how to manage it.

You see, the world economy is changing drastically. We are all aware of talks about recession and "hard times ahead". However, few of us are equipped with insight and strategies about the real reasons for the economic turbulence that we are going through. The real reasons are complex, and the web goes very deep.

I am researching the matter, and will share with you what I believe to be some fundamental reasons.

I will also share wealth protection strategies, through this blog. To protect your family's wealth.

One thing I have come to understand, is that the US dollar is on course for inflation. Unless some drastic societal changes are made with enduring habitual changes among the indebted American people, the American dollar looks on course to collapsing under its own weight.

Put simply, the greedy dollar has become too obese for its own good.

(to understand why I call the dollar a "greedy" currency, click on the link above - it has to do with the way the dollar is printed out of thin air).

Please note that whatever you read on this blog is my interpretation and does not constitute professional advice. Do your own research for verification, and come to your own conclusions. They may or not match mine.

Wrapping up another year...

2008-12-31T15:23:00.000-08:00

As we sail into 2009...

... I'd like to share with you this fantastic photo, showing just one glimpse of the beauty of this planet.

May 2009 be a good year for you. Believe in your power to work through the challenges and struggles of your journey. Believe in your power to speak truth, and express it...

... believe in your power to forgive, and be forgiven.

Believe in your power to feel joy surge through you.

Believe in your power to be loved, and above all, to love.

- S.R.

P.S. This blog will continue in 2009.

Basic Financial Common Sense: Live Below Your Means, Save and Invest the Difference

2008-10-06T17:26:00.001-07:00

I am interested in learning about the mechanisms behind the crisis in the global financial markets. I find the topic fascinating, because through bad example we can learn what to avoid.

So I picked up a copy of Time Magazine last week featuring an article titled "The Price of Greed".

The article goes into some detail about the author's perspective on the reason for the collapse of such financial institutions as Lehman Brothers.

I wont go into details.

What I found most interesting was this paragraph, toward the end:

"Coping in this new world will require adjustments by millions of Americans. We all will have to start living within our means - or preferrably below them. If you don't overborrow or overspend, you're far less vulnerable to whatever problems the financial system may have."

Reading this left me thinking how funny that this should be news to Americans.

There can really be no other way toward prosperity than living below one's means.

Adam Smith proposed that a truly prosperous nation is made up of those who SAVE their initial wealth and INVEST their savings into the creation of productive, entrepreneurial enterprises.

While borrowed capital is important for entrepreneurial projects, a system based on "no money down" and "debt-as-wealth" cannot last. It will collapse upon itself because people begin to lose their energies into speculation instead of creativity.

And creativity is the source of real wealth.

As I have written before, the true role of the entrepreneur is wealth creation, in its many forms, money being one (other forms of wealth are health, peace of mind, knowledge, pleasure, education, beauty, good architecture, shelter, etc.).

It seems that Americans and humanity in general has forgotten the principles of wealth creation, the first being: live below your means, use most of the difference to pay off your debts, and save the rest for entrepreneurship and/or wise investing.

Cruel Experiment Shows Importance of Good Nutrition

2008-09-15T00:08:00.001-07:00

This is amazing.

It demonstrates in very graphical terms how food affects our health...

... and how can it not, when what we eat literally turns into the substance of our bodies!

Scheduling Family Meetings for Family Happiness

2008-08-28T17:29:00.001-07:00

I just had an idea.

It is inspired by my experiences in resolving misunderstandings and hurt feelings with other human beings, as well as by my experience in guiding a team of employees in the business world.

The ideas is simple: in order for there to be happiness in a family, there needs to be regularly scheduled meetings between family members, for talking, listening to each other, sharing of feelings, and working out frustrations. These meetings should be pre-planned, otherwise they wont just happen of their own accord.

Just the act of talking and hearing each other out can untie so many knots of hurt, and release joy and a sense of security.

Learning how to communicate authentically, calmly and respectfully with our fellow human beings is one of the most important things we could ever learn.

From the soil of suffering... joy is possible

2008-08-17T10:24:00.000-07:00

"I wake sweet joy in dens of sorrow and I plant a smile in forests of affliction, and wake the bubbling springs of life in regions of dark death."

- William Blake

Freedom from Debt

2008-07-28T06:23:00.000-07:00

"American's have stopped making things. Instead, our wealth is built on credit. The more we borrow the richer we feel, when in fact nearly every asset we own is made in some other country that we paid for with borrowed money."
- Mike Ward, publisher of Agora Books (publishers of Empire of Debt)

Here's an interesting look at American citizen's debt (Canada can't be too far off):

http://www.ihatedebt.com/ALookatDebt/CurrentStateofDebt.php

Some interesting (and sad) highlights:

Only 2% of American homes are paid for.
On average the typical credit card purchase is 112% higher than if paying cash.
Over 40% of U.S. families spend more than they earn
The average household has 7 credit cards.
The average household has a total credit card balance of approximately $25,800
The record number of bankruptcy filings was 1.44 million in 1998 until 1.49 million were filed in 2001.

USA Today reports that, of the 23 greatest fears identified by Americans today, #3 was inadequate Social Security, and #4 was not enough money for retirement.

Suggestion: get out of debt asap, and begin building your savings as early as possible (at the same time as getting out of debt). To build assets while reducing debt simultaneously gives a psychological boost. Building a saving at the same time as eliminating debt is also important due to the effect of compound interest on your savings/investments.

For calculated, smart debt elimination planning (that could save you a significant amount in interest), I suggest a simple but powerful software called DebtEraser.

As well, for continuous learning in the crucial topic of personal finance, I suggest bookmarking the following resources:

http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/

It is my personal motto that in order to be free of the burden of money, one needs to have money. This requires learning how the flow of money works and how to manage this flow properly.

http://zenhabits.net/2008/06/how-i-paid-off-35000-in-debt-and-how-you-can-too/ (contains interesting ideas on "debt snowballing", but with DebtEraser you can simply pay off faster and save on interest)

The keys to successful debt elimination: ruthless self-honesty, having a plan (based on knowledge), and beginning today, using your plan as a roadmap until the goal is reached.

And for knowledge on how to generate and increase income (no matter what profession you're in), here's a book I suggest for everyone's library:

50 Prosperity Classics

This blog post is dedicated to your health, happiness, and prosperity.

Paying Attention to Financial Health

2008-07-22T08:40:00.000-07:00

I believe that learning how to relate with money is very important to our overall well-being.

To relate properly with money is to be free from attachment to money. This means that we need an open flow of money in our lives, that improves everything it touches.

If money is akin to formless energy (which I believe it is), that has to be used properly to bring about prosperity and freedom in our lives (as opposed to materialism and obsession with it), then the whole topic of prosperity and financial abundance is very important.

Issues such as debt, building a saving, retirement, generating income with joy (instead of drudgery), investing... and more...

... are very important, if we wish to live a life of balance, purpose, passion, creative expression and joy.

With that said, I am going to take this blog on a turn into new territory. Coming soon: ideas and thoughts about prosperity from my own life and research.

"God Bless America"?

2008-07-16T21:32:00.000-07:00

I just came back from a trip to the U.S.A. Beyond my shock at the grip the junk food industry has on the American population, and how unhealthy many people look, I noticed a few things that were interesting to my mind.

For example, many Americans seem to believe that a world in which only one country is divinely blessed can ultimately sustain itself.

It seems that in their mantra/prayer of "God Bless America", many Americans really mean "give our nation special status and progress, at the exclusion of the rest of humanity".

If so, then this is a prayer of ignorance.

A leader nation is not meant to trample upon other nations, just like a human leader is not meant to trample upon his followers. A leader nation is meant to set an example of a higher standard, and help uplift all toward it... all who are ready to lift themselves up.

I'm not sure if I have understood this American motto properly, but it seems that there is something not quite right with the way a lot of Americans use it...

... especially in light of the enormous hubris the American government is displaying on the world stage.

No Prescription

2008-07-04T06:27:00.000-07:00

There is no prescription for fulfilled and joyful lives, except for self-honesty, courage and willingness to face and explore all aspects of ourselves. The light... and the dark.

We need to find our own way, each one of us, through the maze of experiential trial and error. The maze of our souls.

Along the way, it is wise to seek counsel from others whom we trust, in order to gain perspective on ourselves.

The honesty of oceanic waves

2008-05-23T19:52:00.000-07:00

The ocean teaches us so much, if we observe and listen.

It teaches us about freedom.

Patience.

Power.

Boldness.

Consistency.

Greatness and humility.

Leadership.

Interconnectedness and individuality.

And (without this being an exhaustive list), the ocean teaches us about honesty through its beautiful little (and not so little) waves.

Waves do not lie. Lying begins with self-deception, and waves do not deceive themselves. They do not suppress themselves, nor do they do anything to avenge anyone who hurts them (for they know that their true nature goes so deep, that they can never truly be hurt).

They simply unfold their natural energy, and even caress the shoreline with their love.

Waves simply flow, according to cause and effect, and subside after they unfurl their energy. Once they are done, they return to their eternal state.

And they are re-born, again, in the next ripple of waves.

What we confuse as destructive, is not destruction - if man gets in the way of truth and is hurt, it is due to the breaking of his own ignorance or ill placed deeds. The truth hurts because it crashes against lies, and sooner or later, erodes falsehoods into fine powder.

Battle Between Two Parts

2008-05-02T00:44:00.000-07:00

I can't sleep.

There is a battle going on inside of me.

A battle between two parts.

One part is saying "respecting another's free will is crucial, no matter how much it hurts to see them make decisions that you don't agree with".

The other is saying "you got hurt by his/her actions, so give hurt in return, and close yourself off".

I pray the first part in me wins. I guess it's about being aware of both parts, and choosing which one to give expression to, come the moment.

Break, it will...

2008-04-13T17:49:00.000-07:00

Your heart will break...

... your heart will mend...

... but a broken heart... it will happen.

It is my hope, that it will strengthen your faith in Love... by crushing your false expectations.

People Will Fail and Disappoint You... If You Expect Them Not To

2008-03-08T06:55:00.000-08:00

Those who expect other human beings to be transparent, "fair", and consistent...

... are setting themselves up for unnecessary pain.

Should we trust others to fulfill our expectations?

I say, no.

We should not trust others to fulfill our expectations because we should not trust our own expectations... because they often crash with reality, and reality is always absolutely victorious over our mental demands on how others "should be".

Justice

2008-02-25T04:02:00.000-08:00

You do what you are called to do... I do what I am called to do.

Verse from The Prophet

2008-02-18T20:24:00.001-08:00

"But tell me, who is he that can offend the spirit?

Shall the nightingale offend the stillness of the night, or the firefly the stars?"

- Kahlil Gibran, The Prophet

(you who have read The Prophet will probably understand what the image is about...)

Awareness Allows Watching of Our Emotions

2008-02-09T08:16:00.000-08:00

Negative emotion can be generated in anyone of us, when we are unaware.

The journey of more and more awareness of our emotions is crucial to more peace, responsibility (the ability to respond with conscious choice), and more joy.

Out of the Flames of Suffering...

2008-01-28T20:47:00.001-08:00

... we can find new understanding about life.

The phoenix never tried to escape from the flames.

It allowed them to engulf and burn it down.

Through the flames, instead of around them.

It went into the flames... burnt its suffering self down... and discovered its eternal self.

The fire burnt at first, but then became a friend... no longer something that hurts. It became something that reveals!

The Voice of Anger

2008-01-26T11:10:00.000-08:00

Next time you feel angry, listen closely.

Listen to the voice of anger.

It would say something like this:

"Aaaaarrrrrgh!!! This is not going the way me wants it to!"

No Blame

2008-01-26T09:10:00.000-08:00

You can never be the cause of my pain... if you trigger it, you show me up to myself...

What Did You Allow Yourself in 2007?

2008-01-04T14:21:00.001-08:00

We human beings are not designed to be static and constant.

We are meant to be continuously changing and evolving.

I am strongly convinced that if we do not engage in the flow of life and constantly stretch ourselves into new vistas of learning and experience, we will become miserable, because we will be insulting our very natures (which yearn for the sheer exhilaration of the continuous exploration of life).

We thrive when we are in the flow of exploration and achievement.There is a lot of discussion today about being still, meditating, and "just being". I personally believe that proper meditation is one of the most important topics that a human being could concern him/herself with.

However, I also believe that we need to be in the flow of exploration and achievement.

In the flow of action.

And not in contradiction to stillness and meditation. No, we can be in the flow of exploration and achievement while in harmony with a meditative space in our lives.

In fact, I believe that we should move towards making our whole life a meditation in action. Through proper meditation, we can liberate our minds of errant thought, and become fully engaged in whatever it is we are doing in the now, with bliss and joy ensuing from the clarity of consciousness with which we relate with life (people, nature, ideas, objects).

No task is small or large then. Everything becomes interesting and the "mundane" becomes a meaningless word.

If we are to accept that human beings have a need to be in the flow of achievement, then some good questions to ask ourselves are presented below:

What did I learn in 2007?

What new skill did I develop?

What talent did I tend to, developing it further toward mastery?

What passion did I pursue?

What new place did I explore?

What did I allow myself to receive from this wonderful world we live in?

What did I give myself to so fully, that I felt tired and happy inside when in bed at night?

Whom did I share with of my knowledge?

What did I add to my heart's treasure chest of experience, that will give me inner warmth, for ever?

Others Do Not Have Our Answers

2007-12-25T10:20:00.000-08:00

While others can certainly inspire and support us along our journeys, no one can give us the Answers. While books of knowledge are crucial in triggering "gateways" of perception in our minds, it is not the books that can "take us there".

We must find the Answers by ourselves... each one of us... along the course of our life journeys.

"There is a voice that does not use words. Listen."
- Rumi

The True Role of the Entepreneur...

2007-12-16T16:31:00.001-08:00

... is wealth creation.

And wealth is not just about money. Far, far, far from it.

Beauty is wealth. Value is wealth. Health is wealth. Team synergy is wealth. Waking up in the morning and loving to go to work on something you believe in... that is also wealth.

The real entrepreneur - the creative force behind any world-class company - is primarily motivated by profit?

No.

That's a myth.

The real entrepreneurs, the ones who create world-class companies (no matter the size of the companies) are motivated by a vision to create something of real value to others. The real entrepreneur does not scorn money. Instead, he seeks to understand money. He studies money. And probably comes to the conclusion that money is merely a symbol of energy exchange: the exchange of give and get. That money is crucial to the ongoing fulfillment of his vision. That money is a tool.

I propose that truly meaningful entrepreneurship that fills the heart of the entrepreneur with true satisfaction, can be concerned with one thing and one thing only: something higher than the entrepreneur him/herself.

Things Come Together...

2007-12-12T17:26:00.001-08:00

... at the crosspoint of energies we have set in motion. Thus we shape our experiences.

How would one set in motion these energies?

In my opinion, the ancient Iranians summed it up accurately and concisely: Thoughts --> Words --> Deeds.

Mind. Speech. Action.

If you are interested in further investigation into this topic, I suggest a book called As A Man/Woman Thinketh.

(the above image is merely meant to illustrate the point)

The Bridge Back to Joy

2007-12-08T19:18:00.001-08:00

It is like a stream, sorrow itself, that sometimes visits our abode... it weighs us down, and that's the honest reality.

Sure, sorrow may not be expansive as joy is (although it can help open us up). It may limit our range of experience.

And yes, even if there be heaviness, and even if our natural state of being is peace (with sadness not a state of balance), it is nevertheless so that when there is sadness, there is sadness.

Can we fight with what is?

To fight it, in the moment that it arises, is not necessary. It wont make it go away. Fighting it is actually counterproductive.

To realize the immense power of simply observing the sensation of sorrow, and letting it be, without putting labels and an "analysis of history" on it... such a practice helps us to reconnect with the bridge back to joy. The bridge will erect itself, surely, as if out of empty space, and it will show us the way to our natural state of joy.

Our duty then is to walk. To ACT toward the direction the bridge points.

And to be patient, with an open heart that is courageous to the possibility of stumbling again, yet not getting defeated by the stumbles.

Silence, meditative silence, certainly helps us to connect with the bridge. It helps us to see it.

Re-orienting toward joy is a process... with many stumbles along the way.

Money for the sake of a life of ease?

2007-11-11T21:23:00.000-08:00

Some people I have met in my life hold to a belief that is very peculiar to me: that the purpose of financial wealth is to provide for a life of ease and luxury.

What I find very strange and quite tragic about this belief is the following reality: the human soul, unless it is in a position of actively striving for achievement of something beautiful, meaningful and challenging, will stagnate into unhappiness.

A life of learning, opportunity, sharing, and exploration... yes, these things can be expedited through the tool of money. And money is the most important practical tool for the entrepreneurial types among us.

It is fine to enjoy the finest that one can afford (such as a beautiful house that shelters one's family, provides warmth, and the opportunity to create together a loving home). I personally believe that one should not be stingy as long as one lives within one's means, and has a plan for getting out of debt while building a saving.

But to wish for money for the sake of a life of ease, comfort, and luxury... a life of "retirement" and "not having to do anything"... is that not tantamount to wishing for a life lacking in challenge, courage, and the joy of achievement that can only come through hard work, effort, and creative intelligence?

Seems like a lot of pop culture (and the insane lottery frenzy, which I may write about later) is gearing people in the direction of "sloth as virtue".

How about a life of financial wealth where one uses one's wealth for the sake of exploring into unchartered territory of adventure, creativity, sharing, exploration of ideas... and offering a helping hand to those who need it in this world?

Some people like luxury for the sake of luxury and maybe it gives satisfaction... but is it truly the ultimate purpose of wealth?

Patience and Surrender

2007-11-05T20:14:00.000-08:00

Patience.

The "virtue of virtues", according to many philosophers.

The modus operandi of Nature.

The primary wisdom of the master gardener.

One of the keys to the most glorious achievements of man.

Absolutely necessary in making an authentic, joyful connection with that lovely, beautiful girl.

A pillar for the generation of financial wealth.

One of the most powerful "forces" in the universe!

Yet...

... we mostly pay lip service to "patience".

We do not remember what the word represents.

I was confused too. Until I realized that patience is a far more intense event than I had understood it to be. It is far deeper than the conventional line of "just be patient". You see, it is an event that must come about through our own inner choice. Without anyone seeing the choice!

Alas! To align our heart with patience, we must find that PIVOTAL POINT, that second, where it is time to make the choice to LET GO of any expectation for that which we are trying to be patient for.

Letting go... choosing to free ourselves from the enslavement of expectation.

That is true patience, where we do not just play a role for the outer world while dying with agony inside, but truly feel peace in our hearts.

You cannot cheat in this life journey. If you lie to yourself, you will not get away with it.

Allow your painful expectations to collapse... into surrender. Openness comes about, automatically. All you have to do is allow your expectations to collapse... gently, if need be, yet with the awareness that the weight of collapsing expectations will bring temporary pain.

Leaving the Cave of Inner Dishonesty...

2007-11-02T15:43:00.000-07:00

To love, is to truly live. To give, is to expand and grow. To share, is to become more.

However, there are in us... certain aspects... which forcefully and subtly tug us away from honestly expressing our innate, irresistible desire to love, to become more.

So we become pulled in many directions (inside of our minds), and at times, end up feeling torn apart.

These aspects express themselves through the voices of doubt, fear, blame, and manipulation (which is borne of fear). They are born in the cave of dishonesty about our own emotions, our habits, and our weaknesses. When we are dishonest about ourselves to ourselves, we dishonour ourselves.

How about if we stop listening to these aspects, stop taking them seriously, begin just watching them without acting on them... and instead, allow honesty to shine forth?

Honesty will shine forth when we realize that we are safe... that we are actually better off... if we allow it to shine forth.

And it is only through inner honesty that love has a chance to pour out.

But what does that mean?

2007-10-29T21:56:00.001-07:00

In the previous post, I wrote: "the light that can show the way... is in you."

What does that mean?

That statement can be understood only when we learn to embrace each difficulty in our life, each painful experience, as a life lesson, instead of a hindrance. By no longer resisting our painful experiences, and instead, allowing them to be there, we can use our suffering to become free of suffering.

How?

I think that Eckhart Tolle's book The Power of Now has some very valuable ideas on how we can begin to become "students" of life instead of resenting it.

See if this excerpt from the book resonates with you:

What could be more futile, more insane, than to create inner resistance to something that already is? What could be more insane than to oppose life itself, which is now and always now? Surrender to what is. Say 'yes' to life - and see how life suddenly starts working for you rather than against you.

Of course, I have deliberately not directly defined what "the light in you" means. I am not in a position to define it.

Believe... and you will find your way

2007-10-29T07:53:00.001-07:00

This life journey is not always easy.

If the road seems dark, then may you remember... that the light that can show the way... is in you.

Believe...

... and you will find your way.

Seeking Salvation Outside of Self

2007-10-16T21:50:00.000-07:00

Never before have relationships been as problematic and conflict ridden as they are now. As you may continue to pursue the goal of salvation through a relationship, you will be disillusioned again and again. But if you accept that the relationship is here to make you conscious instead of happy, then the relationship will offer you salvation, and you will be aligning yourself with the higher consciousness that wants to be born into this world. For those who hold to the old patterns, there will be increasing pain, violence, confusion, and madness.

- Eckhart Tolle

A Good Question During Depression

2007-10-14T20:04:00.000-07:00

"How can I get back into the stream of life?"

Just Being Still

2007-09-24T19:35:00.001-07:00

I will soon write part two of the entry I wrote earlier.

But right now I wish to say this: sometimes, there is nothing better than silence... and rest... and sinking into our (temporary) tiredness...

Re-Aligning With the Whisper in Your Heart

2007-09-18T13:12:00.000-07:00

(This serves as Part II of "Life is What You Make it/Life is an Adventure"... it may seem strange yet it's hard to explain why, so this time, I wont give an explanation)

Life is What You Make it/Life is an Adventure (Part I)

2007-09-18T13:06:00.001-07:00

How about we set goals and strive with commitment, passion, and furious boldness to achieve them...

... just for the sake of finding out if we can?

Anything is Possible...

2007-09-09T20:35:00.000-07:00

... when one grabs the moment and hurls into the opportunity/crisis one is faced with.

Click here for an amazing lesson by mother nature.

:-)

Rejection...

2007-09-05T12:56:00.001-07:00

... this glorious pang of pain right in the pit of the stomach, that yanks us out of the present moment and catapults us into the unhappy worlds of worry, fear, insecurity, and even hatred.

Does it really have anything to do with the other person?

Or is it self-inflicted emotional pain brought about by story-telling thoughts?

Aligning With What Is

2007-08-29T16:04:00.001-07:00

As we open up our minds... and let go of our pre-conceived notions of "how things are"... as we let go of hazy, self-created mythologies about reality, and make our minds transparent to reality as it is... can it be true that the universe responds in kind?

Can it be true that what once agitated us (people, situations, the past, the future, ourselves), simply dissolves before our eyes (in a gradual manner), as we do the necessary work in liberating our minds from layer upon layer of CONCEPT?

I once wrote a short piece that "life is a dynamic", that life responds to our attitudes, and that it acts like a boomerang in bringing us what we send out for. This is not a new idea.

What if, our minds - the inner universe of thoughts, emotions, and beliefs - and life "out there", the arena that we perceive with our eyes and other senses, are intrinsically connected?

(P.S. Nothing that I link to should be taken as an endorsement... ultimately, we should not have to rely on anything outside ourselves for an understanding of life... all else are merely tools along the way, maybe to be discarded at some point in the journey, even though we can nevertheless cherish them in the light of gratitude.)

Life is an Ocean...

2007-08-16T07:40:00.000-07:00

Life is an ocean.

Oceans come with furious waves and hard-hitting storms.

But without the fury of the waves and the devastation of the storms, the sailor would never become a ship master... and a skilled participant in the games the ocean throws.

For one day the true sailor will stop whining and let go of creating inner resistance about the waves and storms... and instead enjoy them as the games of growth and mastery that they truly are.

To become a master sailor is more important... to become a master sailor is more significant... than to live a life free of storms and the pain that storms bring.

Not Risking is Risky

2007-08-10T04:53:00.001-07:00

While in London, I met a beautiful girl on the London Underground. We were sitting next to each other, and the course of events made it inevitable that we would begin talking.

After an initial intro-session, our conversation rolled to the topic of philosophy. She seemed very interested to talk about it (and philosophy is my intended major at university). So I thought I'd share something different with her than the usual academic theories of philosophy - a simple but profound philosophy of life:

To avoid risk in life is the riskiest of choices.

It is through risk that we can break through into new horizons of experience.

Vibrant Health is Not Arbitrary

2007-08-03T01:14:00.000-07:00

One of the keys to a fulfilled life is vibrant health. Vibrancy is a matter of energy. With vibrant health (more energy), we can enjoy life more. We can be more creative and more responsive to our environments.

The enjoyment of good health is not arbitrary.

It does not come to you by good fortune or chance (strong genes may help, but are not necessarily primary). And in my perspective, it is not a matter of medicine or pharmaceutical drugs.

Good health is simply the natural result of intentionally aligning with nature's principles of good health.

Poor health is the natural result of misalignment with nature's principles of good health.

Two major reasons for misalignment are lack of knowledge (due to ignorance) and misleading information (due to special interests and shallow science). Other major reasons are doubt (lack of faith in the natural principles of good health), lack of caring for self, and lack of discipline.

Since health (on the physical, mental, emotional levels and beyond) is one of my deepest fascinations and a subject of ongoing study for me, I am going to share what I learn, on an ongoing basis, through this blog.

Where is Home? (Part II)

2007-08-01T02:17:00.001-07:00

After my trip through England, Sweden and Iran this summer, do I feel more at peace with myself - with my past, my present, and my future?

Am I more excited about tackling the future that lies ahead, ripe with possibility and adventure?

The answer: I feel more strongly now than before my trip, that I have come from strong roots (with respect for my ancestors), have grown up in wonderful countries (with especial fondness for Sweden), that I am exactly where I am meant to be (with gratitude for Canada), and that my life path so far has traversed a path that has contained exactly the experiences I have needed for gaining a firm hand on the helm of my ship.

Yes, I feel more at peace with my past, with my multi-nation composition. By visiting and experiencing where I come from, I have gained understanding and a sense of closure on what's behind me.

And home is now where I allow my aspirations, commitments and friendships to unfold... yet, without closing any doors on anywhere else.

Kind of like a bird.

Where is Home? (Part I)

2007-08-01T01:17:00.001-07:00

I am back from Tehran, the city I was born in (and left with my parents when I was two years old).

I am currently in London, England, where I will stay for a few days before I return to my current city of residence, Toronto, Canada. I never thought it would happen, but I actually miss Toronto (I used to hold negative attitudes to Toronto that started dissolving when I began to accept it, be curious about it, and jump into its opportunities).

Many people ask me: "how was Iran?". What a difficult question to answer!

Iran was many things to me, both lovely (such as meeting my cousins and being among an ocean of Farsi speakers) and frustrating (such as seeing the pathetic religious paternalism of the current government that shows disregard for free will and reeked of blasphemy in its forceful ways).

I wont go into details right now about my experience of Iran (maybe in a different post).

For me, the important question right now is: how do I feel about my place in the world after my trip through England, Sweden, and Iran (all these are countries that I have lived in)? Has my inner turmoil about having lived in five different countries been somewhat resolved?

Do I feel more at peace with myself - my past, my present, and my future?

Am I more excited about tackling the future that lies ahead, ripe with possibility and adventure?

The answers to the above questions are forthcoming...

"The Key to Our Inner Treasure..."

2007-07-28T01:29:00.000-07:00

"... is our suffering."

This is a rough translation of an ancient Iranian saying. In Farsi, it goes like this: "kilide ganje adam, ranje adam-e".

Embrace your suffering. Hold it in your arms, look at it with curiousity instead of regret. It may very well be a potion for a new you. When taken into your heart without resistance, suffering can transform into something refreshing... ultimately, something glorious even...

... even though it stings at first (and maybe for a while).

American and Iranian Unite With Message for Peace

2007-07-17T08:20:00.000-07:00

The more my vacation in Iran unfolds, the more furious I become about America's bellicose stance of "taking action" against Iran.

It seems that the rhetoric from Washington is completely devoid of any sense of the sanctity of daily life here in Iran, where the people are living as dignified lives as any American in the U.S.. Iran is a proud nation with a rich and tumultous history, struggling to give birth to a higher ideal of itself where democracy, rule of law, and civil society finally take the upper hand. A large segment of the people are themselves tired of the present theocracy, and are open to change.

But only change from within!

We do not need America to come in with soldiers to "bring us democracy" like they claim to have tried to do with Iraq, or to bomb our nuclear reactors (while America herself has thousands of nuclear bombs}, even when the Iranian government is cooperating with the IAEA (against a backdrop of utter disrespect and hubris from the current U.S. administration). American interference in Iranian affairs is to no one's benefit and the desires of the current American administration go flat against the noble principles of America's respectable Founding Fathers.

Fortunately, more and more Americans are waking up and taking action for peace with Iran.

One of them is Leslie Angeline, from the American women's peace group Codepink. She recently went on a trip to Iran and says that she "fell in love" with the people.

Iranians are also taking pro-active steps for dialogue and peace between Iran and America. One of them is Ali Nasri, from the Iranian peace group Miles for Peace, a campaign of cyclists who have ridden across Europe and the U.S. with a message of peace from the Iranian people.

I recommend to everyone who is interested in peace between the two great nations of America and Iran to watch this interview with these two courageous individuals who are working hard to form bridges of dialogue and mutual understanding between their respective nations.

Kudos to Ali and Leslie!

The Wise Esfehani Taxi Driver

2007-07-14T00:06:00.000-07:00

(As I am writing this post fast due to limited time at a hotel Internet cafe, please forgive any spelling errors)

This morning, me and my family took off from Tehran Airport at 7am toward Esfahan.

The flight was pleasant and the pilot was very cool (before take-off he said "Dear Ladies and Gentlemen, just relax, and let us fly up high into God's sky"... the prose was very poetic in Farsi, and had no intonation of religious forcefulness).

When we arrived in Esfehan, we took a taxi (an Iran Khodro Samand) toward the City Centre.

My father sat in the front passenger seat, with me, my mother and my sister sitting in the backseat. Father started talking to the driver, and they entered a conversation. It was a pleasure hearing their conversation about Esfehan and the state of Iran, not least because of the peculiar and rather sweet Esfehani accent.

I am very curious about Iran. I am especially interested in why such an ancient nation with such great wisdom borne throughout the ages and contemporary high-achieving people (at home and abroad), has chosen an autocratic regime that most Iranians themselves are not pleased with (one proof of that is President Khatami's overwhelming popularity prior to Ahmadinejad).

So I asked the driver: "I would like to ask you a very general question and I know that it may not be easy to answer: what do you think about the current Iranian regime?".

He answered (and I will highlight the main points of his response): "the current government is kind of like a mafia... especially economically... we Iranians are a wonderful people, the warmth and sense of humanity we have is unparalleled... during the Iran-Iraq war we treated our POWs with unparalleled respect (this is verified), we passed an important test as a nation... Iran is a wealthy nation... the people are most capable... but our current government is taking advantage of its own people."

Then I asked: "what do you think about Khatami?" Khatami represents a period of reform and movement away from autocracy toward democracy, rule of law and greater individual liberty.

He said: "Khatami was a great man... he brought dignity and pride to Iran, and worked at restoring our reputation within the international community... but Ahmadinejad has destroyed all the hard work that Khatami did."

I asked him a final question: "well, why do you think the autocratic mullah regime has been able to maintain power for so long?"

He answered (and his last sentence finished exactly as soon as we arrived at the hotel!): "no government can stay in power without the support of the people... so a segment of Iranians are supporting them, and that is simple why they are still in power."

Even though the time I had with him was short, I really liked this man's realistic perception of Iran. It is the people that ultimately uphold leaders in their political positions. When people are unaware of their power, then it will seem as if they have no power.

Next question I have (but didn't have time to ask him): why do the people support a theocratic government in a country where a substantial portion of the population (including many of the youth baby boomers born after the revolution) aspire toward democracy, separation of religion and state, free enterprise, the rule of law, and equal rights for men and women?

I am not yet sure about the answer to this complex question. However, my personal opinion beyond this question is that Iran is evolving... it is in process... it is moving - slowly but surely -towards its glorious destiny (where spiritually is ingrained in the fabric of society, yet not forced upon anyone). There are dark depths to move through before reaching blessed shores.

(Note to self: next time, I will get email addresses from interesting Iranians I meet on the way)

First Impressions of Tehran

2007-07-10T01:11:00.000-07:00

I am now in Tehran, Iran.

It is my second day. I slept most of the day yesterday, and spent the evening being with my cousins whom I hadn't met in 24 years. The connections were made instantly, and I had a lot of fun.

I also met my near-90 year old former-colonel, good-looking grand father. I will write more about this interesting man in future posts.

What has struck me so far is the warmth of family, the wonderful taste of the food, the modernity of Tehran, and the heat of summer. One can also see just by looking around that this is a country under embargo, even though in general, the standard of living is quite high. Among my relatives (which are part of the upper-middle class), the standard of living is on par with middle class Western living (first-hand cars, nice condos, AC, really good food, good clothes, mobile phones with SMS, DSL Internet connections...).

However, I'm sure that for many in Tehran, life is a struggle in a way that I personally have not experienced.

Now, I am heading out for a ride on the Tehran Metro with my mum, sister, grandmother, and aunt... towards the city's grand baazaar.

Thoughts Before Visiting Iran for "First" Time

2007-07-07T14:06:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow, on July 8th, I am flying to Tehran with my mother, father, and sister.

It is the first time that I will visit my country of birth since I was two years old.

Right now, as I write this, I do not have strong feelings for Iran herself. I have no memories of the land.

However, I do know that I have deep reverence for the finer aspects of Iranian culture. And I love those Iranian people who embody these finer aspects. The more time I spend with my Iranian friends, and with my family (immediate and extended), the more gratitude I feel for the warmth, passion, intelligence, creativity and liveliness of the Iranian people.

I am the type of person who chooses friends irregardless of ethnicity. I look upon the merit of the individual. However, this does not mean that I do not sometimes feel a special "thing" for the Iranian "vibe". I am sure people of all cultures feel the same (except maybe those with inferiority complexes). To claim otherwise is dishonest.

I will make an effort to write about my experiences in Iran (hopefully Internet access will not be a hinder). I will write about the good and the not-so-good that I encounter...

(You can subscribe to my blog by entering your email address into the box on the right)

It is when we let go... that the door can open...

2007-07-06T05:55:00.000-07:00

While clinging to the door handle, it is impossible for the door to swing open...

Let No One Define You on Your Behalf

2007-06-26T03:49:00.000-07:00

There are some people who think that they can "read" others.

They claim to be able to analyse people on first impressions, without any precedence. What do I mean by precedence?

I mean process.

To get to know a human being in fullness is impossible, because each human being is a massive universe (even though they themselves might have limited themselves and refuse to explore inner space). While we cannot know someone fully, we can get to know people, and in order to get to know people, we need to embark on a process of relating with them.

The process of relating with someone and getting to know them takes time. It requires mutual give-and-take. It requires mutual honesty. And more...

I had an experience with someone who claims to not need this process in order to "see" into people.

This is not the first time I meet an individual like this.

In my experience, such an individual tries to define others on their behalf (without being asked), and is often not shy about speaking his opinion out loud. He may even say a few things that are "accurate", but one should avoid becoming fascinated with them. His words can be harmful if one takes them to heart.

Many of these "types" of individuals are looking to dominate others and impress a sense of superiority over others. How? By getting you to think that they know you better than you know yourself. This is a recipe for confusion in your mind. And a confused mind is easily dominated.

Getting impressed with them is like getting impressed with a teenager who does a cool card trick in front of you (once you take the teen's arms and ask him to show you the trick behind the trick, it is no longer so cool).

One shouldn't take their words seriously. The point of this post is that we should not allow anyone else to define us. It is an infringement on our sovereignty when someone tries, especially when we have not asked for it.

Whenever someone whom we don't know tries to define us, we should protect our minds with the knowledge that those who claim to know and do not explain how they know, are sheep in wolve's clothing (fools)... and some of them are sharks in dolphin's skin.

Best strategy?

Disengagement.